Affirmations vs. LifeVision
In my business as a LifeVision expert and coach I’m often asked the difference between Ideal LifeVision and affirmations. So I thought in this post I’d do a little comparison. Let’s start with the characteristics of Affirmations:
Affirmations are general and typically quite nebulous. Most often they are single statements like the following:
- I am at peace with the Universe
- I consciously bring money into my life
- I am worthy of love and fulfilling relationships
The typical implementation for affirmations is that they are written on cards or post-it notes and then scattered through out the house on mirrors, dashboards, refrigerators etc. The idea is that you read them (aloud) every time you see them.
One of the biggest draw backs of affirmations is that they aren’t specific enough to create a powerful vision that will compel you to action. With single sentence affirmations, your mind (or imagination) isn’t given enough information to create an inner picture that conjures up the important aspects of goal accomplishment: emotion, motivation, visualization, & action plan.
If you’ve read the book, Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, then you’ve learned that our minds are goal-seeking mechanisms. Just like an animal, we also have instincts…..but they are instincts for success. Simply put, if we accurately create a strong enough visualization in our brain, we can’t help but accomplish it as our subconscious does all in it’s power to achieve the image/visualization it was given. (I typically don’t reduce a landmark book like that to a single sentence, so forgive me and I will write an entire blog post about his amazing work)
And that’s exactly why LifeVision is so much more powerful than simple affirmations. Ideal LifeVision isn’t a one-size fits all but is as unique as you are. By creating an Ideal LifeVision, you will create your own custom “Ideal You” designed to take full advantage of your unique gifts, talents and personality. Not only that, but each vision statement will also includes the How, Why, and By When (the action plan). It is concrete enough that you can visualize it in detail.
And if that isn’t compelling enough, don’t forget that the Ideal LIfeVision is then recorded and listened to daily as an additional method of imprinting it upon your subconscious.
Let’s take this one step further with an example:
Affirmation:
I am a conscious creator and giver.
Ideal LifeVision:
As a conscious creator and giver, I find joy in serving others. Daily, I share something of myself. I find little things I can do to lighten others burdens. I find ways to be in spirit. Once a week on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am, I spend 2 hours rendering service. I have 2 refugee women that I work with. I spend time with these women. I mentor them and offer practical service to assist them in integrating into this country. I have a special financial account designated for blessing the lives of others. I deposit $250 into it each month. I use this money wisely for those less fortunate than myself. It feels incredible giving back as it not only enlarges my soul but creates value for others.
As you can see, the affirmation is a clever and beautiful statement and yet it doesn’t give my brain the specifics it needs to actually do something to become the person I want to be. The LifeVision statement on the other hand gives my brain something to go after. As I feed that visualization into my mind daily, it can’t necessarily distinguish between what’s reality and what isn’t, but regardless it’s goal seeking mechanism pursues the path for accomplishment. My mind actually has something concrete to “land on” now and will find a means and method for accomplishing it.
What current method are you using? Share with us your own insights on affirmations vs LifeVision.
You might also be interested in...
- Clear Intention
- LifeVision for Teens – Lisa Crookston
- Visioning Tips (Video Blog) Vision Board + LifeVision
- Annual Review of your Ideal LifeVision
- Creating You LifeVision-Interview with Dr. Paul








As a Certified Master Life Coach, I have to say I totally agree that while affirmations are nice and a positive way to look at things, there is very little about them that can get into the subconscious to affect change like the powerful statements in an Ideal Life Vision. The subconscious is our direct link to the Universe and the Universe likes action. There is plenty of action contained in an Ideal Life Vision and as a coach, one of the things I emphasize to my clients is that you have to take specific actions and have a time and date to complete them. Wonderful stuff!
Hi Harry,
Good to see you and thank you for commenting on my blog! It’s truly an honor. I agree with you totally when you said (in regards to affirmations) “…..there is little about them that can get into the subconscious to affect change like the powerful statements in an ideal LifeVision.”
Affirmations are good for planting the seed, but there is so much more to gardening than just that one step. Thanks for your contribution Harry and let’s keep in touch!
I also am a Master Life Coach, and I personally get my clients to visualize as specific as possible their future exactly how they want it. What they are wearing as they go to the bank with the check they are depositing, the color of the car, what smells do they smell, to get as vivid in their description as possible. I myself do the same thing, in my vision I see and feel everything from that moment I want to happen. Affirmations are good if you can personalize them, and own them, belief is getting you there.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’d really like to more about you so if have a website or blog that I can check out that would be wonderful! I appreciate your comment about all the details you and your clients add to your vision. I really do believe it’s the emotion and details that make it REAL…or help you change your belief about it. In my own experience I have found that as I listen to my lifevision (on the ipod) it’s going to take a few weeks before I usually actually “believe” it. But just as John Assarraf talks about in his book “The Answer”….it does take a little bit of time to imprint on the subconscious. And that’s what those details that you were describing help do! Thanks for sharing!